Casio: new ultracompact, sample photosBy
Mike Tomkins(Friday, June 10, 2005 - 01:18 EDT)Casio has announced a new digital camera model in most markets that offers a high five megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom lens in a very compact package.

The Casio EXILIM CARD EX-S500 offers quite a range of features for such a compact model. Most interestingly, the camera apparently duplicates functionality first seen in Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-M1 that lets you capture a still image at full resolution while the camera is recording a movie. Sony's camera actually records the movie as two separate files with a noticeable gap surrounding the still capture; it isn't clear from the preliminary info how Casio's camera will handle the function. There's also Casio's Best Shot feature, which is analogous to the Scene modes on other cameras, and offers 28 settings for still images, or five for movies. An in-camera movie-editing function lets you crop the interesting portions from your movie files without a PC, and much like the DSC-M1 the camera offers a separate shutter button specifically for recording movies. You can also crop images in-camera, and the playback zoom function works not only for still images, but for movies as well. A flash assist function brightens shadow areas of images after the photo has been captured, and an anti-shake DSP mode is said to reduce blurring both from camera shake and subject movement (presumably by boosting camera sensitivity to gain a higher shutter speed). Startup time is said to be a fairly speedy one second, and pre-focus shutter lag is lised as just 0.008 of a second. Finally, the camera can also function as a digital photo frame when left in the camera cradle.

The Casio EXILIM CARD EX-S500 will be sold in three body colors. The colors seem to actually be the same worldwide (orange, white or grey), although the actual names for the colors vary from market to market, the version that's called white in the USA being either "Nordic White" or "Nordic Silver" overseas, while the orange version is also called "Fiesta Orange" or "Latin Orange", and the gray version is also known as "Meister Gray" or "Brilliant Grey". Pricing and availability have not been announced at this time. A number of sample photos and a sample movie shot with the camera can be found on the Casio EXILIM website.

Anti-Blur Technology and State-of-the-Art MPEG-4 Movie Features Found in Newest EXILIM Camera

June 9, 2005, Dover, NJ -- Casio Computer Co., Ltd. in conjunction with Casio, Inc. announces the release of the newest addition to the EXILIM CARD digital camera series. True to the series, the EX-S500 model is barely bigger than a credit card and just .54” at its thinnest point. Packed into the pocket-sized body are 5.0 mega pixels and MPEG-4 quality movie recording capabilities, allowing more than one hour of standard video recording when using a 1GB SD memory card. Casio’s EXILIM Engine’s Anti Shake Digital Signal Processor also makes blurry pictures nearly a thing of the past.

The EX-S500 is a culmination of Casio’s core technologies, combining cutting-edge miniaturization and digital expertise with state-of-the-art movie recording capability. As with all digital cameras in the EXILIM Series, the EXILIM CARD features Casio’s EXILIM Engine, an image processing module that makes for high quality images, quick operation, and low power consumption that has made EXILIM the camera of choice for many users. The latest version of the EXILIM Engine features the Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring caused by shaking hands or moving subjects, while the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions ensure that photos are properly focused.

“The EX-S500, which is available in fashionable white, orange and gray colors incorporates Casio’s heralded EXILIM Engine along with advanced MPEG4 quality movie capabilities and anti-blur technology--- all in a digital camera that’s barely the size of a credit card,” says John Clough, President of Casio, Inc. “In a market where manufacturers are selling disposable camcorders because of their portable travel appeal, the S500 is the perfect icon for permanent multi-functionality exhibiting a re-useable “best of class technology” as an affordable business, leisure and fashion accessory.”

In addition to the anti-blur technology, 5.0 mega pixel resolution and 3X zoom capability means high quality pictures. A large 2.2-inch TFT LCD screen makes still and video photography easy to shoot, and the lithium ion rechargeable battery allows up to 200 shots on one charge.

The pocket-sized EX-S500 is quick and easy to use for both business and pleasure. Comparable in size and weight with most cell phones, the EX-S500 is conveniently portable, taking high quality pictures and movies anywhere, anytime.